Emerging threats and complex challenges to situational awareness require a next generation of sensor systems.

态势感知面临的新威胁和复杂挑战需要新一代传感器系统。

 

By   BREAKING DEFENSE

on May 09, 2022

《突破防御》

2022年5月9日

 

Northrop Grumman’s Digital Shadow, a virtual mission systems integration lab, provides the ability to correlate digital sensor representations with their physical design. Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman.

诺斯罗普·格鲁曼公司的数字影子是一个虚拟任务系统集成实验室，能够将数字传感器表示与其物理设计相关联。照片由诺斯罗普·格鲁曼公司提供。

 

With the Great Power competition, the threat against the US and its partners has moved to an extremely sophisticated stage where the US will meet near-peer challenges in numerous areas: long-range missiles, anti-access and area denial, remote targeting, command and control (C2), electronic warfare (EW), and cyber, to name several.

随着大国竞争，对美国及其合作伙伴的威胁已经发展到一个极其复杂的阶段，美国将在多个领域面临近乎同等的挑战：远程导弹、反介入和区域拒止、远程目标、指挥和控制（C2）、电子战（EW）和网络，仅举几例。

 

“Staying one step ahead on the battlefield calls for innovation in how our platforms and systems are developed, built, and acquired,” said Roshan Roeder, vice president and general manager of the Airborne Multifunction Sensors division at Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. “Instead of the long design-build-prototype-test cycle that we’ve used in the past, we are realizing digital capabilities to validate designs prior to hardware builds, and we are implementing product lines based on broadband multifunction building blocks to accelerate our overall deliveries to the warfighter.”

诺斯罗普·格鲁曼任务系统公司机载多功能传感器部门副总裁兼总经理 Roshan Roeder 表示：“在战场上保持领先需要对我们的平台和系统的开发、建造和采购方式进行创新。” “我们正在实现在硬件构建之前验证设计的数字能力，而不是过去我们使用的漫长的设计-构建-原型-测试周期，我们正在实施基于宽带多功能构建块的产品线以加速我们的向作战人员的整体交付。”

 

“To quickly and collectively observe, orient, decide and act (OODA) to address advanced threats, spectral agility and the use of multifunction sensors is the way of the future and a necessity. Using integrated capabilities across the overall electromagnetic spectrum decreases the adversary’s ability to deny operations and enhances the reliability and timeliness of situational awareness. This type of multifunction capability allows our systems to leverage adaptive methods and AI to respond to the changing warfighting environment in ways never seen before.”

“快速、集体地监视、定位、决定和行动（OODA）为了应对高级威胁，频谱灵活性和多功能传感器的使用是未来的发展方向，也是必要的。在整个电磁频谱中使用综合能力会降低敌方阻拒作战的能力，并提高态势感知的可靠性和及时性。这种类型的多功能能力使我们的系统能够利用自适应方法和AI，以前所未有的方式应对不断变化的作战环境。”

 

Roles for multifunction sensors for EW, targeting, and C2

用于电子战、目标指示和指挥控制的多功能传感器作用

 

What is a multifunction sensor and how does it fit into the future battlespace and threat environment described above?

什么是多功能传感器，它如何适应上述未来的战场和威胁环境？

 

A multifunction sensor is an integrated system that consolidates multiple capabilities across the radio frequency (RF) spectrum – including communications, radar, electronic warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) – into a single sensor.

多功能传感器是一个集成系统，它将射频 (RF) 频谱中的多种功能（包括通信、雷达、电子战以及情报、监视和侦察 (ISR)）整合到一个传感器中。

 

This differs from multispectral sensors where two or more physically different systems, each sensing in its particular part of the spectrum, produce data that is fused together to create a more accurate picture of the target. Think of a multifunction sensor like a smartphone with multiple functions such as voice, text, camera, and navigation; the multifunction sensor includes many functions to satisfy different users and the data products must be highly reliable and secure.

这与多光谱传感器不同，在多光谱传感器中，两个或多个物理上不同的系统，每个系统在其特定的光谱部分进行传感，产生的数据融合在一起，以创建更精确的目标图像。设想一个多功能传感器，如智能手机，具有语音、文本、摄像头和导航等多种功能；多功能传感器包含多种功能以满足不同用户的需求，数据产品必须具有高度的可靠性和安全性。

 

“Depending on the requirement, we can provide higher-power multifunction sensors for larger platforms and different multifunction sensors with lesser size, weight, and power demands that are more appropriate for smaller, autonomous capabilities,” explained Roeder. “To be more agile and innovative, we’ve built our multifunction sensors on a set of building blocks that are all sensors, which reduces the number of apertures and power needed for individual sensors.”

Roeder解释道：“根据需要，我们可以为更大的平台提供更高功率的多功能传感器，并为不同的多功能传感器提供更小的尺寸、重量和功率需求，更适合更小的自主能力。”。“为了更加灵活和创新，我们将多功能传感器构建在一组都是传感器的积木上，从而减少了单个传感器所需的孔径和功率。”

 

“In addition, through the use of open-system architecture and software-defined networking we’re able to easily adapt sensors to specific multi-mission needs and create actionable data at the speed of relevance to the services.”

“此外，通过使用开放系统架构和软件定义的网络，我们能够轻松地使传感器适应特定的多任务需求，并以与服务相关的速度创建可操作的数据。”

 

Multifunction sensors are especially suited to support future Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) and multi-domain operations (MDO) to connect all five warfighting domains. That’s because multiple sensors operating across multiple frequencies give commanders a higher confidence set of actionable data that can improve both targeting and the OODA loop for precision fires. This is needed for the DoD to enact its Joint Warfighting Concept that is founded on the ability to gain and maintain decision dominance.

多功能传感器特别适合支持未来的联合全域指挥与控制 (JADC2) 和多域作战 (MDO)，以连接所有五个作战域。这是因为跨多个频率运行的多个传感器为指挥官提供了一组更高置信度的可操作数据，这些数据可以改善目标瞄准和精确火力的“快速、集体地监视、定位、决定和行动”（OODA）循环。这是美国防部制定其基于获得和保持决策优势能力的联合作战概念所必需的。

 

“The beauty of a multifunction sensor is that it is a single system to do radar sensing, electronic warfare, and communications — all of the capabilities that are needed for decision dominance,” said Roeder, adding that these sensors can have both passive and active capabilities in one system. Similar to the different apps on your cell phone, a multifunction sensor provides the information to support a variety of missions by giving responders a centralized set of information for better situational awareness.

Roeder说：“多功能传感器的美妙之处在于，它是一个单一的系统，可以进行雷达感应、电子战和通信，这是决策主导所需的所有能力。”他补充说，这些传感器可以在一个系统中同时具有被动和主动能力。与手机上的不同应用程序类似，多功能传感器通过向响应者提供一组集中的信息来提供信息以支持各种任务，从而实现更好的态势感知。

 

Taking it one step further, there can be two, three or more multifunction sensors with those types of capabilities spread out across the threat environment. This would provide what Roeder calls “unprecedented situational awareness” for command and control in a multi-domain environment.

更进一步，可以有两个、三个或更多的多功能传感器，这些类型的能力分布在整个威胁环境中。这将为多领域环境中的指挥和控制提供Roeder所称的“前所未有的态势感知”。

 

Multifunction_SOCIAL-01

多功能社交-01

 

A multifunction sensor provides multiple capabilities and can seamlessly adapt to mission needs. Image courtesy of Northrop Grumman.

多功能传感器提供多种功能，可以无缝适应任务需求。图片由诺斯罗普·格鲁曼公司提供。

 

A new multifunction sensor to defeat complex, emerging threats

一种新型多功能传感器，可应对复杂的新兴威胁

 

In mid-2021, Northrop Grumman Corporation delivered one of the most advanced multifunction sensors ever developed to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for testing. Called the Arrays at Commercial Timescales-Integration and Validation (ACT-IV) system, it is based on an advanced multifunction digital active electronically scanned array (AESA).

2021年中期，诺斯罗普·格鲁曼公司向美国空军研究实验室（AFRL）和美国国防高级研究计划局（DARPA）交付了有史以来最先进的多功能传感器之一进行测试。该系统称为商用时间尺度阵列集成与验证（ACT-IV）系统，它基于一种先进的多功能数字有源电子扫描阵列（AESA）。

 

The company calls the ACT-IV system a breakthrough in AESA performance and marks an important milestone in the nation’s transition to digitally reprogrammable, multifunction radio frequency (RF) systems. ACT-IV is one of the first multifunction systems based on a digital AESA using the semiconductor devices developed by the DARPA Arrays at Commercial Timescales program.

该公司称ACT-IV系统是AESA性能的突破，也是美国向数字可重编程多功能射频（RF）系统过渡的重要里程碑。ACT-IV是第一个基于数字AESA的多功能系统之一，使用DARPA阵列在商用时间尺度项目开发的半导体器件。

 

“The details of ACT are exciting, though the benefits are what is important,” said Roshan. “ACT technology enables agile multifunction systems, and our use of common ACT-based building blocks, supports rapid deployment of new capabilities to the warfighter.”

Roshan说：“ACT的细节令人兴奋，但好处才是最重要的，”。“ACT技术支持灵活的多功能系统，我们使用通用的基于ACT的构建块，支持作战人员快速部署新能力。”

 

These new apertures are based on common building blocks with RF energy on one side and digital data over fiber on the other side. Digital building blocks allow the aperture to instantaneously transform from an AESA Radar, to a passive ESM receiver, to a datalink, to a “SIGINT” machine.

这些新的光圈基于普通的构造块，一边是射频能量，另一边是通过光纤传输的数字数据。数字构建模块允许孔径瞬间从AESA雷达转换为被动ESM接收机，再转换为数据链路，再转换为“SIGINT”机器。

 

An array of multiple software defined apertures can provide all of these capabilities at a large scale or simultaneously at the building block or groups of building block levels. This has a massive effect on platform size, weight, and power (SWAP) reduction, simplified logistics, and overall cost of ownership for the warfighters, equippers, and acquirers. Northrop Grumman is using these building blocks to develop product lines across the full RF spectrum to support a wide range of platforms on land, sea and air.

多个软件定义的孔径阵列可以大规模提供所有这些功能，或者同时在构建块或构建块组级别提供所有这些功能。这对作战人员、装备人员和采购方的平台尺寸、重量和功率 (SWAP) 减少、物流简化以及总体拥有成本产生了巨大影响。诺斯罗普·格鲁曼公司正在使用这些构建模块来开发整个射频频谱的产品线，以支持陆地、海洋和空中的各种平台。

 

Designing multifunction sensors with digital engineering in open architectures

在开放式架构中使用数字工程设计多功能传感器

 

One of the key concepts of multifunction sensors is that they are digitally engineered for an open architecture environment that facilitates the building block nature of multifunction sensor development. This makes it easier to share data between different sensors and enhance the sensor’s capabilities over time with new products and even another company’s product because of its open system.

多功能传感器的关键概念之一是，它们是针对开放式架构环境进行数字化设计的，这有助于多功能传感器开发的构建块性质。这使得在不同传感器之间共享数据变得更加容易，并且由于其开放系统，随着新产品甚至另一家公司的产品随着时间的推移而增强传感器的功能。

 

“Open architecture is the premise upon which we’re building our developmental efforts,” said Roeder. “Our architecture lets us take some of our best-of-breed products and enhance them with third-party processing, functional modes/waveforms, and networking capabilities to eliminate any concerns around vendor lock. That enables us to create a sensor, maybe beyond the means of what the requirements are now, utilizing third-party capabilities to enable different functions on that multifunction sensor.”

“开放式架构是我们进行开发工作的前提，”Roeder 说。 “我们的架构让我们能够采用一些我们最好的产品，并通过第三方处理、功能模式/波形和网络功能来增强它们，以消除对供应商锁定的任何担忧。这使我们能够创建一个传感器，可能超出现在的要求，利用第三方功能在该多功能传感器上启用不同的功能。”

 

Backing up these words, is a “Capability Development Kit,” or CDK, that is already in place along with training sessions for third parties.

支持这些话的是一个“能力开发工具包”或CDK，该工具包与针对第三方的培训课程一起已经到位。

 

Building-block construction and open architecture break vendor lock, and are cost-effective ways to build economies of scale and reduce the cost for product design, development, and production. In that vein, Northrop Grumman has also devoted resources to understanding what drives cost in the supply base and focused its digital transformation on helping third parties synthesize the engineering lifecycle aspects of multifunction sensors, according to Roeder.

构建块结构和开放式架构打破了供应商锁定，是建立规模经济和降低产品设计、开发和生产成本的经济有效的方法。 Roeder表示，在这方面，诺斯罗普·格鲁曼公司还投入了资源来了解推动供应基础成本的因素，并将其数字化转型的重点放在帮助第三方综合多功能传感器的工程生命周期方面。

 

Key to the company’s efforts in that respect is digital engineering. “Our deep understanding of the mission environment and threats allows us to take that experience and accurately model and analyze numerous, complex scenarios in the electromagnetic spectrum,” said Roeder. “Our customers are sharing more and more information about their needs so we’re able to run as many as 100,000 tests per night to validate changes in our system, predicated on real information and real data. It helps us enable the mission suite, optimize performance for the warfighter, and understand the technical performance that’s needed to meet our customers’ timelines and cost requirements.”

该公司在这方面努力的关键是数字工程。Roeder说：“我们对任务环境和威胁的深入了解使我们能够利用这些经验，准确地建模和分析电磁频谱中的众多复杂场景。”。“我们的客户正在共享越来越多的有关其需求的信息，因此我们能够根据真实信息和真实数据，每晚运行多达100000次测试，以验证系统中的更改。这有助于我们启用任务套件，优化作战人员的性能，并了解满足客户时间表和成本要求所需的技术性能“信息。”

 

Me and my (digital) shadow

我和我的（数字）影子

 

To assist in the work of rapid iteration and assessment of multiple configurations of mission systems such as multifunction sensors and radar systems for fighter aircraft, Northrop Grumman has developed what it calls its “Digital Shadow” testbed, also known as a digital twin. This is a digital replica of its flying experimental aircraft testbed airframe and subsystems.

为了帮助快速迭代和评估任务系统的多种配置，如战斗机的多功能传感器和雷达系统，诺斯罗普·格鲁曼公司开发了其所谓的“数字影子”试验台，也被称为数字孪生。这是其飞行试验飞机试验台机身和子系统的数字复制品。

 

“The digital twin will serve as a multi-spectral integration platform to allow us to simulate current and future capabilities on the aircraft, and select that virtual test performance so we can correlate predicted sensor performance to actual performance,” explained Roeder. “That further increases the fidelity and credibility of those digital representations. Using our Digital Shadow testbed is an iterative transformation for us.”

Roeder解释道：“数字孪生将作为一个多光谱集成平台，允许我们模拟飞机上当前和未来的能力，并选择虚拟测试性能，以便我们能够将预测的传感器性能与实际性能关联起来。”。“这进一步提高了这些数字表示的保真度和可信度。使用我们的数字阴影测试床对我们来说是一种迭代转换。”

 

The digital testbed, which is a virtual mission systems integration lab, provides the ability to correlate digital sensor representations with their physical design, further validating system and performance models and leveraging Northrop Grumman’s large repository of collected data.

数字试验台是一个虚拟任务系统集成实验室，能够将数字传感器表示与其物理设计相关联，进一步验证系统和性能模型，并利用诺斯罗普·格鲁曼公司收集的大量数据存储库。

 

By creating a digital version of the aircraft and the onboard mission-system suites, the company can virtually configure, integrate, and fly scenarios and sensor combinations beyond the physical testbed limitations, increasing the breadth and scale of experimentation — reducing timeline and flight test costs, and ultimately extending mission capabilities for the warfighter to stay ahead of evolving threats.

通过创建飞机和机载任务系统套件的数字版本，公司可以虚拟配置、集成和飞行场景和传感器组合，超越物理试验台的限制，增加试验的广度和规模，减少时间和飞行试验成本，并最终扩展作战人员的任务能力，使其在不断演变的威胁面前保持领先。

 

“The digital environment lets us explore the huge test and performance space created by a multifunction system performing many functions on many threats across many frequencies and on many different platforms,” said Roeder. “A digital system can traverse many more tests in a shorter amount of time than would be humanly possible in a flight. So these digital twins are a necessary part of the multifunction, multi-domain infrastructure of our future fighting forces.”

“数字环境让我们能够探索由多功能系统创建的巨大测试和性能空间，该系统在许多频率和许多不同平台上针对多种威胁执行多种功能，”Roeder说。 “一个数字系统可以在更短的时间内完成比人类在飞行中可能完成的更多的测试。因此，这些数字孪生是我们未来作战部队多功能、多领域基础设施的必要组成部分。”

 

Much like the cell phone has evolved to meet customer expectations, multi-domain operations are demanding an evolution in sensors in order to maintain spectrum superiority. Multifunction sensors can adapt to the mission need and scenario and dynamically support ISR, targeting, communications, electronic warfare and C2 requirements in a seamlessly integrated way. This will be necessary in defeating emerging threats in the complex and increasingly agile threat environment of MDO.

正如手机的发展是为了满足客户的期望一样，多域运营也要求传感器的发展，以保持频谱优势。多功能传感器可以适应任务需求和场景，并以无缝集成的方式动态支持ISR、目标指定、通信、电子战和C2需求。这对于在MDO的复杂且日益敏捷的威胁环境中击败新出现的威胁是必要的。